Sparta Prague v Napoli – Preview: Benitez aiming for knockout

Date: 27th November 2014 at 9:02am
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Napoli Europa LeagueThe top two sides in Europa League Group I come together on Matchday Five, as Napoli travel to the Czech Republic to take on Sparta Prague at the Stadion Letná.

Sparta currently sit top of the group, on goal difference, with nine points after taking six points in the double header with Slovan Bratislava and will be hoping to avenge their 3-1 defeat in Naples on Matchday One.

After taking the lead through Josef Husbauer they were pegged back by a Gonzalo Higuain penalty and two goals from Dries Mertens.

The Belgian international is not part of the 20-man squad for Thursday night’s game, but his return to training will be a huge boost as the Partenopei look to become the first team to win a European game at The Generali Arena this season.

Jorginho may well deputise as coach Rafael Benitez may go slightly more cautious, although he may slip Jonathan De Guzman or Jose Callejon on to the left wing and push Cristian Maggio further forward on the opposite flank.

Sparta lie second in their domestic league and their record at home against Italian teams is good, losing only twice in 10 meetings, with the last being a 3-2 victory over Palermo back in 2010.

Benitez will be hoping for a change of fortune in Napoli’s away form in Europe, having only won away once all season – a 2-0 success at Slovan Bratislava – including their Champions League qualification match against Athletic Club.

Napoli will be hoping to build on their victory over Young Boys in their last group match, but go into the clash with the Czechs on the back of a 3-3 draw with Cagliari after, at one stage, looking comfortable and Benitez will be hoping for a convincing result and performance that will see them qualify for the knockout stages due to a superior head-to-head record against the Swiss.

Benitez has happy memories of his last trip to face Sparta in 2013, his Chelsea team won 1-0 on the way to them winning the Europa League that season, and with his current side reaching the last 16 of the same competition last season he will be hoping they go all the way this time around.

Expected Starting XIs

Sparta Prague: Bicik, Kaderabek, Brabec,Holek, Nhamoinesu, Krejci, Matejovsky, Kovac, Dockal, Konate, Lafata

Napoli: Rafael Cabral, Maggio, Albiol, Henrique, Ghoulam, De Guzman, Callejon, Jorginho, Inler, Hamsik, Zapata

 

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